First Halifax, now HSBC - ACCOUNT CLOSED

[miztaziggy]

So last March:

https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=519601.0;topicseen


And now, just gone to log into my HSBC account and found that I couldn't log in.

I phoned them, and it's almost exactly the same story as Halifax. I never received a letter they apparently sent, but, she read it over the phone and it's almost exactly the same words, just something about not conducting my account within their terms and conditions.

I barely use this HSBC account. I used it in the past to buy a load of computer components, and sell / buy a few times from LBC.

Apparently the letter they sent was on the 25th November 14.

Around that time, I hadn't used my account for quite a while. Since that date, I used it to sell and buy BTC about 4 times, not knowing the account was being closed.

So, I can only imagine that they picked up on some transactions for BTC in the past, maybe people I transferred to or received from have since been investigated and with my account being 'linked' I am suspected too?

It seems though that they don't have to tell my exactly WHY my account is being closed, just 'they don't want to do business with me'.

I have another account with Santander, and have never used it for BTC sale / purchase. I probably never will.


My questions now are:
- Will I ever be able to get a mortgage or bank account now with HSBC (or Halifax)?
- Am I black listed somewhere, if so, where?
- Who is there I can complain to?
- What if Santander do the same, and I can't get a bank account, how do I pay my mortgage, get paid my salary etc?

Scary stuff how the banks are so in control of our lives and can cut us off from civilisation by closing our bank accounts.

[Rimmer]

My questions now are:
- Will I ever be able to get a mortgage or bank account now with HSBC (or Halifax)?
- Am I black listed somewhere, if so, where?
- Who is there I can complain to?
- What if Santander do the same, and I can't get a bank account, how do I pay my mortgage, get paid my salary etc?

Scary stuff how the banks are so in control of our lives and can cut us off from civilisation by closing our bank accounts.

You should probably ask your bank or get some proper advice from someone. As a first step I'd make an appointment to see the managers of your bank and ask them what the hell is going on. I think it's bullshit they can just close your account like this but I guess it's probably in the small print somewhere that they can do this at any time so you might be screwed. Best bet is to contact your bank and try calmly get some answers from the manager.

[miztaziggy]

My questions now are:
- Will I ever be able to get a mortgage or bank account now with HSBC (or Halifax)?
- Am I black listed somewhere, if so, where?
- Who is there I can complain to?
- What if Santander do the same, and I can't get a bank account, how do I pay my mortgage, get paid my salary etc?

Scary stuff how the banks are so in control of our lives and can cut us off from civilisation by closing our bank accounts.

You should probably ask your bank or get some proper advice from someone. As a first step I'd make an appointment to see the managers of your bank and ask them what the hell is going on. I think it's bullshit they can just close your account like this but I guess it's probably in the small print somewhere that they can do this at any time so you might be screwed. Best bet is to contact your bank and try calmly get some answers from the manager.

Already tried all this with Halifax a year ago.

It's like hitting your head on a brick wall. They WILL NOT tell you why it's closed. They just refer you to their T&Cs and say they're within their rights.

[thejaytiesto]

At least you can try to do something about it, if you lost your wallet pass for instance or lost the coins in an exchange, you would have lost the money for sure. This is the problem with BTC.

[kolloh]

This is pretty worrysome and makes me wary of doing bitcoin related transactions through normal banking.

Were the BTC transactions via localbitcoins, Coinbase, or some other exchange?

[Q7]

Looks like they are shutting down your account due to the BTC-related transactions. Did you manage to talk them? At least from the first bank to confirm that it was due to that problem.

[miztaziggy]

This is pretty worrysome and makes me wary of doing bitcoin related transactions through normal banking.

Were the BTC transactions via localbitcoins, Coinbase, or some other exchange?

With Halifax, it was sending money to Bitstamp I think, through OK Pay.

With HSBC, it's only been LBC so private BACS transfers.

It is VERY worrying that the banks have us all by the balls. They can cut us off and ruin our lives with the press of a button. Imagine mortgages, utility bills, loans etc all that couldn't be dealt with (easily).

[leopard2]

It is outrageous that banks can do this, there ought to be legal protection from arbitrary account closures!

On the other hand it is a very strong reason why crypto should be successful; if you protect your private key correctly a Bitcoin wallet will never betray you like that.

[Drummer]

Looks like they are shutting down your account due to the BTC-related transactions. Did you manage to talk them? At least from the first bank to confirm that it was due to that problem.

it will not help anything im already use it but it doesnt work anymore

[dex1]

Do you mind telling us what order of magnitude the afore mentioned transactions were ?

[j5d]

Scary stuff how the banks are so in control of our lives and can cut us off from civilisation by closing our bank accounts.

This has been a problem with banks since forever really. You buy into their system, they own you and the use of your money.

This leads me to think a bank blacklist would be an interesting and useful idea, if it doesn't already exist. A bank doesn't play nice with users of bitcoin? Well now they're on the list. Lost business for them, more press for bitcoin "trying" to be "legitimate".

[newIndia]

My questions now are:
- Will I ever be able to get a mortgage or bank account now with HSBC (or Halifax)?
- Am I black listed somewhere, if so, where?
- Who is there I can complain to?
- What if Santander do the same, and I can't get a bank account, how do I pay my mortgage, get paid my salary etc?

Scary stuff how the banks are so in control of our lives and can cut us off from civilisation by closing our bank accounts.

You should probably ask your bank or get some proper advice from someone. As a first step I'd make an appointment to see the managers of your bank and ask them what the hell is going on. I think it's bullshit they can just close your account like this but I guess it's probably in the small print somewhere that they can do this at any time so you might be screwed. Best bet is to contact your bank and try calmly get some answers from the manager.

Already tried all this with Halifax a year ago.

It's like hitting your head on a brick wall. They WILL NOT tell you why it's closed. They just refer you to their T&Cs and say they're within their rights.

Are they locking your fund with them or just closing the account after giving all your dues ?

[Meuh6879]

in EUROPE, we have the same problem ... bank account can be closed without explaination (because of a SEPA wire on a BTC identified intermediary).

for me, the only method to avoid completly this is to buy with ... paypal on exchange that it support that. 
alternative way is bitboat (post service banking from private seller).

but, you can use localbitcoin and wire system (to a private seller).
or others exchange with thrid party (okcoin, etcs ...).

the bank never seen the direct exchange ... fee hell, well ... it's the game, now. 

[dyalldough]

They think you a terrorist I guess. I feel bad for you. These banks walk around like they are God when its really OUR money!!

[RodeoX]

Bank of America threatened to permanently exclude me from their service because I refused to cooperate with them on something. Later I had to move $100k through them and they were all like "yes sir! How can we profit help!"

They will be back as soon as they smell money. 

[doof]

My questions now are:
- Will I ever be able to get a mortgage or bank account now with HSBC (or Halifax)?
- Am I black listed somewhere, if so, where?
- Who is there I can complain to?
- What if Santander do the same, and I can't get a bank account, how do I pay my mortgage, get paid my salary etc?

Scary stuff how the banks are so in control of our lives and can cut us off from civilisation by closing our bank accounts.

Banks make so much money on mortgages, and they have the house as security. I wouldnt worry about that.

[moriartybitcoin]

scammed by a bank, what's new?  forget the banks .. thats the whole point of crypto currency

[bitcoinface]

god i hate those cunts i cant wait for this crypto shit to go mainstream they need to be truely fucked over with their cunt terms i hope all those corrupt cunts die from cancer

[Ektra]

god i hate those cunts i cant wait for this crypto shit to go mainstream they need to be truely fucked over with their cunt terms i hope all those corrupt cunts die from cancer

LOL, you said it well 

[QuestionAuthority]

No shoes, no shirt, Bitcoin, no service.